Suicide: A Growing Epidemic

As a stark reminder of the tremendous toll of suicide, the recent deaths of chef and TV host Anthony Bourdain and designer Kate Spade have once again shined the spotlight on the growing epidemic of suicide in the United States. In a recent article featured in the public health section of National Public Radio (NPR) online, Nell Greenfieldboyce reports that suicide rates have increased in nearly every state over the last two decades, with half of the states experiencing an increase of more than 30 percent. This includes men and women, as well as all ethnic groups and those living in both urban and rural areas. In response, the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has collected data on suicide deaths from all states, focusing on the details and circumstances relating to a large number of cases.

Because the general public often associates suicide with a long struggle of mental illness, preliminary findings by the CDC note that up to 54 percent of people that killed themselves had no record of a mental health issue. In effect, the decision to attempt suicide is often made quickly, in an impulsive way, as explained by Robert Gebbia, head of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. What’s more is that while guns were the most common method used, there has been a rise across all methods, including hanging, poisoning and other lethal means. Thus, whether people believe that suicide is a firearms issue or not, the bottom line is—suicide is not just a mental health concern, and more needs to be done to prevent it.

Perhaps taking a comprehensive, multifaceted approach is an effective way to stay one step ahead when it comes to suicide prevention. Without question, this requires an awareness of the onset of mental illness, which can first appear when people are in their teens and early 20s, according to USA Today. Yet, it also necessitates understanding how stressful circumstances such as relationship difficulties, addiction, financial problems and physical health problems may contribute to suicidal thoughts or attempted suicide. Furthermore, the CDC also supports measures taken to stabilize housing and teaching coping and problem-solving skills early in life.

Providing innovative therapies through a multifactorial approach, Triune Therapy Group assesses psychological and cognitive functioning in an effort to empower individuals to recognize feelings and thoughts that become the driving force for self-harm or suicide. We invest the time necessary to develop personalized programs that encourage patients to become active participants in the retraining of unhealthy patterns, including managing anxiety or depression. Through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), patients can effectively reverse their symptoms and gain control of their moods. Our team also values community as a conduit to deep healing through intensives and workshops that provide a sense of connectedness and support among individuals.